Published 20 June 2025
Queensland’s “Adult Time, Adult Crime” policy, which came into effect on 31 March 2025, has expanded the list of serious offences for which 17-year-olds can now be sentenced as adults. The new laws capture 20 additional offences – including robbery, torture and drug trafficking – and allow courts to impose custodial sentences of up to 14 years for certain property crimes such as aggravated burglary.
Understanding the policy shift
Queensland’s youth justice framework under the Criminal Law regime has traditionally emphasised rehabilitation over punishment. However, this latest reform reflects increased public concern about serious youth offending. The stated aim is to improve community safety by introducing consequences that are seen as more proportionate to the gravity of these offences.
Key changes under the law
- Expanded offence list – includes serious indictable crimes that were previously limited to adult sentencing regimes.
- Stiffer penalties – custodial sentences have been increased substantially for repeat or violent youth offenders.
- Shift in sentencing principles – greater weight must now be given to deterrence and retribution, rather than rehabilitation alone.
Benefits claimed by the government
- Deterrence – stronger penalties are intended to reduce the incidence of violent and repeat offending.
- Public confidence – the reforms respond to growing community demands for tougher treatment of serious youth crime.
- Accountability – the government argues that treating older youth like adults reinforces personal responsibility for serious offences.
Concerns raised by legal and community groups
- Rehabilitation risk – placing young people in adult prisons may increase their likelihood of reoffending after release.
- Social harm – there are concerns the new laws will disproportionately impact First Nations youth and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Missed opportunity – critics argue the policy fails to address the underlying causes of youth offending, such as trauma, mental health issues, and disengagement from education.
What are the alternatives?
Several alternatives have been proposed that aim to strike a more balanced approach between accountability and rehabilitation. Please contact Fraser Lawyers to discuss options such as restorative justice conferences, diversionary programs or specialised youth courts.
Conclusion
Queensland’s latest youth justice reforms represent a decisive policy shift. While aimed at improving community safety and deterring serious crime, the long-term outcomes – particularly for vulnerable young people – remain uncertain. As legal practitioners and policymakers watch these changes unfold, there is a continued need for evidence-based review, transparent data collection and, where necessary, further reform. The challenge will be finding a legal and social framework that promotes both public protection and meaningful rehabilitation.
If you have experience working with youth offenders or in criminal law reform, feel free to share your perspective in the comments below.
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